Aviation training and education for Abu Dhabi is supported by Airbus

Airbus is providing training and educational assistance to Abu Dhabi as this emirate proactively pursues its goal of creating a world-class aerospace industry.

In one step, Airbus worked with the Abu Dhabi government-owned Mubadala industrial grouping to create an apprentice school in the city of Al Ain, where Mubadala’s Strata composite aerostructures company is located.

Approximately 100 blue-collar workers already have completed their apprentice training at the school, according to Lee London, Airbus’ Senior Director - International Cooperation, Middle East. “This training provides excellent opportunities for the emirate’s youth to be readied for a career in their aviation sector, which is crucial for its aviation industry as well,” he said.

Another element of Airbus’ support is an internship programme involving some 10 engineering students per year from Abu Dhabi universities. These interns spend six months working in the Airbus engineering department, enabling on-the-job-type training.

For personnel in the greater Mubadala industrial group, Airbus is providing generic business training opportunities, with slots made available at the AirBusiness Academy in Blagnac, France – which is one of the primary providers of non-technical training courses for Airbus.

“The AirBusiness Academy’s curriculum has been adapted to Abu Dhabi’s specific training and education needs, with classes covering such subjects as understanding the basics of aviation, financial aspects of the aviation industry, along with Airbus procedures in purchasing and manufacturing,” London explained. “To date, there have been more than 3,000 days of training as the result of this opportunity.”

A planned future action would bring one of Abu Dhabi’s universities together with France’s ISAE aerospace engineering school (Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace) for educational cooperation.